What can you do when a proposed bike trail encounters obstacles such as power poles.
Proposed bike trail in Shawnee, Kansas
This is a classic problem:
One solution is to split the trail into two five-foot one-way treads on either side of the obstacle. Less attractive if you have to do that 20 times around all the poles.
Ideally, the lines could be underground as it would also make for an aesthetic corridor. Some utilities have funds for undergrounding. The American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AAHSTO) permits going to 8' wide for short distances where no other options are available and use is not very heavy. AAHSTO also calls for a 5' minimum buffer between road and trail or a 42" minimum high barrier. The Minnesota Trails Design Manual shows a minimum 3' buffer.
Another solution might be to create a two-way buffered cycle track by taking out the curb and and using some of the shoulder of the road along with the grassy median-or alternatively pushing the curb out into the road by narrowing the traffic lanes though drainage reconfiguration might be a nightmare.
The National Association of City Transportation Officials (NACTO) publishes the Urban Bikeway Design Guide. This guide is a blueprint for designing 21st century streets. The Guide unveils the toolbox and the tactics cities use to make streets safer, more livable, and more economically vibrant. The Guide outlines both a clear vision for complete streets and a basic road map for how to bring them to fruition.
The Federal Highway Administration's Bicycle and Pedestrian Program's Separated Bike Lane Planning and Design Guide consolidates lessons learned from practitioners designing and implementing separated bike lanes throughout the U.S.
In any and all cases an engineer should be consulted to assure any solution is safe and functional.
Our Resources by State page explores training, articles, organization, and authors by state, which may be helpful.
Published February 21, 2012
Smithsonian Guidelines for Accessible Exhibition Design
Exhibitions are complex presentations that convey concepts, showcase objects, and excite the senses. However, as museums recognize the diversity within their audiences, they realize that exhibitions must do more: exhibitions must teach to different learning styles, respond to issues of cultural and gender equity, and offer multiple levels of information. The resulting changes in exhibitions have made these presentations more understandable, enjoyable, and connected to visitors’ lives.
Equestrian Etiquette - Protecting Trees and Park Structures
Responsible equestrians should actively protect trees and other park structures when out on the trail. Equine expert Lora Goerlich gives her take on this topic.
Guidelines for a Quality Trail Experience
In the context of mountain bike trails, excellence is realized when a trail design merges the desired outcomes and difficulty that a rider seeks with the setting in which the outcomes are realized.
Virginia’s Long-Distance Trail Network: Connecting Our Commonwealth
The purpose of this plan is to assess progress to-date and develop a strategy to connect local and regional systems into a statewide trail network reaching to all areas of the Commonwealth.
